Inquiry to mull role of 'smart IT' for infrastructure

Believes IT will revolutionise design and planning.

A parliamentary committee will launch launch an inquiry into how technology can be used to improve the design, planning and use of new and existing infrastructure in Australia.

The house standing committee on infrastructure and communications considers "smart ICT" as using innovative technologies for mapping, modelling, designing and operating infrastructure.

The inquiry will seek to work out exactly what new capabilities smart IT provides, along with productivity benefits and international best practices for its use.

It will look into harmonising data formats as well as creating nationally consistent arrangements for data storage and retrieval.

Committee chairman Jane Prentice said the committee believed using smart technologies would "revolutionise the planning and design of infrastructure".

The committee drew this inference from a recent infrastructure planning and procurement inquiry, which heard technological advances for surveying and imaging techniques could significantly increase the speed and accuracy of data collection for mapping and modelling of infrastructure.

Using smart technologies for infrastructure design and planning is much more efficient and cost effective than existing methods, the committee said. It expects taking advantage of technological advances will carry huge benefits to the community as a whole.

Submissions from the public and interested parties can be made until July 10 this year.

The infrastructure and communications standing committee is also currentlt leading an inquiry into the controversial section of the Telecommunications Act that allows law enforcement agencies to block websites.

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